Last Friday Sarah Carter came to me for help in opposing the Naked Bike ride which is due to cycle through Portsmouth on Friday 10th June. I have been very happy to help, the idea of cycling naked around Portsmouth does not achieve anything but upset to those that it offends. I am a keen cyclist and use my bike as much as I can but I wouldn’t dream of doing anything that offends even a single person. Isn’t that what a harmonious society is all about?

We have 1390 signatures on our petition which has been collected over just 5 days and I know that there are plenty more people who feel the same way as we do. I hope that all those intending to participate listen to the many people of Portsmouth who do not want naked people cycling around our city. We welcome cyclists and perhaps they could wear fancy dress or bright clothes as the British Heart Foundation cyclists did at the weekend. We have a nudist beach in Eastney where they are very welcome to strip off once they have finished cycling. The organisers are pointing out that there is free car parking in Eastney which rather defeats the object of protesting against fuel dependency, but it is near the nudist beach if that is the major factor of the day.

Lastly, I would also remind the naked cyclists that it is Friday, the Moslem holy day, and we have a large community of Moslems happily living in Portsmouth who will find it very offensive.